Sony considers - but rejects - online-only game console

Sony is looking to the next generation of its gaming consoles. Above, a 2009 poster of the Sony Playstation logo.

Sony Corp. considered but ultimately rejected a download-only scheme for its next videogame console, people familiar with the matter said, opting to include optical disk drives rather than break with a decades-old model in the industry.

The Japanese electronics maker's flirtation with dropping optical drives underscores the rising importance of online networks in the videogame industry, which allow console users to download games, television shows and music without the need for disks or cartridges.

Sony is targeting a 2013 release for the successor of its PlayStation 3 console, people familiar with the matter said.

Consoles without optical drives would likely add to pressures on brick-and-mortar and online retailers that sell game disks. But Sony decided against a download-only model for other reasons, largely because Internet connectivity is too inconsistent around the world, a person familiar with Sony's thinking said. Because game files are large, customers in countries where Internet connections are relatively slow would be hobbled by a requirement to download games, the person said.

A Sony spokesman declined to comment.

Microsoft Corp. is planning to include an optical disk drive in the successor to its Xbox 360 console, according to a person familiar with the matter. The software company also had concerns about access to Internet bandwidth, this person said.

Thanks to Kwes for the signature!
"As long as there are dreamers who have the courage to pursue their dreams, the world will have heroes. And as long as there is a thirst to discover the unknown, there will be new stories to tell...and new adventures to be had."

going download only on a console would cause a HUGE drop in sales. you would see a GIANT dent in the pockets of Sony. Not only that, but making a console DD only would just put sony in checkmate in the gaming devision, it's basic business suicide.

Sony is close to agreeing a deal to acquire either Gaikai or OnLive, according to reports.

Reports last weekend claimed that Sony was to announce a partnership with a major cloud gaming firm during its E3 press conference next Monday. However, a source has told MCV that Sony's interest in the cloud runs far deeper than that, and that an outright acquisition is "close to being signed."
What's not known at this point is whether the deal is intended for Sony's consoles, or its range of TVs. The latter is more believable at this point, especially given the recent deal which has seen Gaikai integrated in LG Smart TVs.
By contrast, a console deal would be a real shock, and not just to retailers - and if a deal is close, our money's on it being with David Perry's company. Speaking at CES in January, Gaikai chief product officer Nanea Reeves said: "Not all of the current console makers will have one more generation. That will be the big news at E3." Sony spent heavily on PS3, of course, and its high price consigned it to an early third place from which it has never recovered. Could the PlayStation 4 be a Bravia TV, with cloud gaming innards?
Expect more to be revealed at Sony's E3 conference, which takes place on Monday 6pm PST - or 2am on Tuesday. We'll be there, of course, ensuring a steady flow of timely coverage so you don't miss a thing; the best way to keep on top of it is by keeping a close eye on our E3 2012 topic page.

I read this earlier on IGN and also got a bit scared, I'm glad they didn't go through with it. I guess they were smart enough to remember the failure PSP Go was, so long story short the gaming community is not ready for this yet.

No physical copies makes no sale for me. Not crazy about downloading games. I think the PSP GO convinced them to not go the DD only route.

Sent from my HTC VLE_U using Tapatalk 2

Originally Posted by daLa

I read this earlier on IGN and also got a bit scared, I'm glad they didn't go through with it. I guess they were smart enough to remember the failure PSP Go was, so long story short the gaming community is not ready for this yet.

Isnt PSVita download only?

Originally Posted by coolguy

Gamers. Are not ready for this kind of console downloading is good for music not games

I havent bought a physical media PC game in almost 10 years. Steam is where its at.
If Sony did something as awesome and as fast as Steam i would definitely go for it.